Contests and Training Projects Index

This index provides a quick summary of a selection of design contests and training projects focusing on specific electronic components and FPGA/SoCs. Each program has resulted in a rich collection of deep dive content that would appeal to an electronic or embedded engineer.

Click on the links below to see our various training projects and contests.

Eye On Intelligence Challenge
by AMD

In this competition, challengers are tasked to build an AI-powered, FPGA Machine Learning project. This is an opportunity for you to hone your embedded vision skills, utilizing a development kit based on the AMD Zynq-7000^TM SoC devices. 2024

Winner: TBD

Experimenting with Extreme Environment
in partnership with Hammond Manufacturing

When the going gets tough, designs and enclosures need to be tougher. Experiment with Extreme Environments to win gear for the workbench and the field. 2024

Winner: javagoza's UrbanRest Guardian noise monitoring prototype analyzes nighttime disturbances and provide information about wneighborhood's routines. Summary

Experimenting with Industrial Automation
in partnership with Schneider Electric

Get some hands-on experience with the components driving Industry 4.0, and you could win test equipment for your own personal bench! 2023

Winner: kmikemoo's Training Bay Ventilation Automation project turns on a roof mounted exhaust fan to extract engine exhaust and heat. Summary

Experimenting with Flyback Transformers
in partnership with Bourns

Experiment with flyback transformers in switched-mode, power supplies, converters, and more. 2023

Winner: javagoza's Magic Lightbox addresses a photography lighting challenge, specifically designed for small objects like electronic components. Summary

Experimenting with Supercapacitors
in partnership with Cornell Dubilier

Supercapacitors are used in consumer electronics, energy harvesting devices, and industrial equipment. Using a kit from Cornell Dubilier, participants conducted a green technology experiment! 2023

Winner: lui_5f00_gough explored what makes supercapacitors so super and how they differ from ordinary batteries and capactiros. Summary

Path to Programmable III
in partnership with AMD

A free FPGCA SoC training program that offers participants a development board the MiniZed or Ultra96-V2 of their choice to build a graduation project! 2023

Winner: javagoza's AMD Zynq SoC MIDI Vintage Sound Synthesizer is a digital version of a classic analog synthesizer from the 1960s. Summary

Experimenting with Waterproof Connectors
in partnership with Amphenol in support by Hammond Manufacturing

Participants dove into the world of waterproof connectors with Amphenol’s waterproof connectors in a Hammond watertight enclosure! 2023

Winner: ralphjy experimented outdoor weather-resistant Panda enclosure successfully tested high-power electronic connectors when submerged into water. Summary

Experimenting with Sensor Fusion
in partnership with AMD

In this competition, participants incorporated SP701 Spartan-7 FPGA Kit into their original experiments and designs, documenting their progress and findings along the way. 2022

Winner: javagoza's help with Sensor Fusion for Firefighters. Summary

Experimenting with Gesture Sensors
in partnership with Maxim Integrated

In this competition, participants incorporated the AX25405 Optical IR Sensor Evaluation Kit into their original experiments and designs, documenting their progress and findings along the way. 2022

Winner: Misaz's Gesture Controlled Tetris and a Gesture Controlled Pacman. Summary

Experimenting with Thermistors
in partnership with Molex

In this competition, participants incorporated thermistors from Molex into their original experiments and designs, documenting their progress and findings along the way. 2022

Winner: lui_5f00_gough's Calorimetric Flow Sensing Meter. Summary

Experimenting with Current Sense Amplifiers
in partnership with Maxim Integrated

A hands-on competition to experiment, test, or build a circuit with the MAX40080 by Maxim Integrated, a high-precision, fast-response, bi-directional digital current-sense amplifier. 2022

Winner: Misaz's Experimenting with Current Sense Amplifiers. Summary

7 Ways to Leave Your Spartan 6
in partnership with AMD-Xilinx

The 7 Ways to Leave your Spartan-6 program teaches you about the migration from the Spartan-6 to the Spartan-7 FPGAs, by presenting multiple activities you may engage in. 2021

Winner: jure's 7 Ways to Leave Your Spartan-6. Summary

Experimenting with Thermal Switches
in partnership with Kemet

A hands-on competition using thermal switches based on KEMET’s Thermorite® to experiment with their use, application, response, and more. 2021

Winner: lui_5f00_gough's Torturing Thermal Switches. Summary

Experimenting with Magnetic Components
in partnership with Bourns

A hands-on competition to experiment, test, build, or just play around with transformers, inductors, line filters, and more. 2021

Winner: jancump's DIY Inductance Meter. Summary

Experimenting with Vibration Sensors
Sponsored by Kemet

A hands-on competition that allows you to experiement, test, monitor, or play around with vibration sensors. 2020

Winner: dougw's Stirling Engine and Vibration Sensor. Summary

Experimenting with Inductors
Sponsored by Kemet

A hands-on competition that allows you to experiment, test, breadboard, or just play around with inductors. 2019

Winner: Gene Breniman's Effects of Inductors on a Boost Regulator Circuit. Summary

Experimenting with Polymer Capacitors
Sponsored by Panasonic

A hands-on competition that allows you to experiment, test, breadboard, or just play around with Polymer Capacitors. 2019

Winner: Frank Milburn's Deep Dive into ESR. Summary

Path to Programmable
Sponsored by Xilinx and Avnet

An FPGA/SoC training program, featuring the Avnet MiniZed development board. 2018

Graduate Projects: Summary

Path II Programmable
Sponsored by Xilinx and Avnet

Follow the journey of element14 hardware and software engineers as they learn to develop with the Ultra96-v2. 2019

Graduate Projects: Summary